Metal Allegiance Celebrate Black Sabbath, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Misfits + More in NYC

Metal Allegiance, a group comprised of various notable metal musicians, rocked the house at Best Buy Theater in New York City recently to celebrate and debut some new tracks off of their brand new self-titled album.

The core of Metal Allegiance is made up of drummer Mike Portnoy, Megadeth bassist David Ellefson, Testament guitarist Alex Skolnick and bassist Mark Menghi. The album features guest vocals on each track by a roster of well-known metal singers.

The NYC gig began with Death Angel frontman Mark Osegueda taking the stage to belt out the Accept tune “Fast as a Shark” and Iron Maiden’s “Invader” just to name a couple. His backing band consisted of Exodus / Slayer guitarist Gary Holt, Ellefson and Portnoy. To think that was only the beginning of the night.

Frontman Chuck Billy took hold of vocals next, with his Testament bandmate Skolnick providing riffs. Billy performed the live debut of the song he sung on Metal Allegiance's album titled “Can’t Kill the Devil.” Covers of Sepultura’s “Refuse/Resist” and “Territory” were also unleashed on the crowd.

The boys of Anthrax showed up as Frank Bello, Charlie Benante and Scott Ian played for their hometown audience. Menghi also joined the stage and although he may not be one of the big names onstage, he's the one who spearheaded the Metal Allegiance project. Menghi provided bass and even some backing vocals throughout the night.

Osegueda cranked out covers of Black Sabbath’s “Into the Void” and Accept’s “Balls to the Wall," while Bello got on the mic for KISS’ “Got to Choose.”

Another Metal Allegiance original included Oseguda singing “Dying Song” (performed on the album by Philip Anselmo), as well as his own contribution to the album, “Scars,” which also features Lacuna Coil’s Cristina Scabbia on the album. Although Scabbia wasn’t there, Arch Enemy vocalist Alissa White-Gluz, who also appears on the new release, filled in onstage. The “Queen Beast” stayed on to belt out Iron Maiden’s “Run to the Hills” and Misfits cover of “Last Caress” where her main squeeze and former Misfits guitarist Doyle burst forth onto the stage and surprised fans.

While everyone took a break in the middle of the set, Alex Skolnick gave a blistering, shrederific solo. Then came the one-two punch of Motorhead’s “Overkill,” which was dedicated to Lemmy Kilmister, and Metallica’s “Whiplash.” Metal Allegiance’s own anthem, aptly titled “Pledge Your Allegiance,” was also performed.

Most of the musicians that performed hit the stage for the encore, which featured the all-star collective jamming to their cover of Dio’s “We Rock,” as well as “Cold Gin” by KISS and the set-close, Metallica’s “Seek and Destroy.” Sure, there were a few mistakes and technical difficulties onstage, as can be expected when that many musicians share the stage, but there was also along a whole lot of fun and incredible musicianship throughout the night.

For all of these heavy hitting musicians to be a part of one show and pay homage to an assortment of influences as well as perform their own original music is something every metal head should check out. Take a look at our gallery above of Metal Allegiance taking New York City by storm, and pick up Metal Allegiance's self-titled album here.

Check Out the Metal Allegiance Video for 'Dying Song'

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